Using the Pen tool

…In this movie, I'm going to introduce you to the most flexible drawing tool…in all of Illustrator, and that's this one right here, the Pen tool.…Now, it also happens to be the oldest drawing tool in the program.…It's that tool that first put Illustrator on the map back in the late 80s.…The reason that it's so great is that it allows you…to draw pretty much any path outline you like, one anchor…point at a time, which means that it's…a technical tool, it's a very capable tool as…well, but it takes a little bit of time and effort to come to terms with it.…

So, if you're working along with me, go ahead and bring up the Layers panel.…And notice that I've got quite a few…layers, including this tracing layer, which is locked,…and these elements on the Pieces layer which is locked as well so that we don't…mess 'em up.…The layer that I want you to work on is called…Shirt, and it also happens to be the only unlocked layer.…So you'll need to select it before you can…start drawing, then, you can hide the Layers panel.…

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Released

12/12/2013

Get to know Illustrator—the industry-leading drawing program—and immediately start making smooth vector-based drawings and type treatments, with no experience required. Acclaimed Illustrator instructor Deke McClelland efficiently introduces you to those Illustrator features you'll need to create your first vector-based drawing projects, focusing only on the core features and skills that you need to get started.